Replies to This Discussion

Joan, I wonder if people don't decry idiot-children like this guy (never mind the biggies like Robertson and Hagee and the rest of them) because they are afraid that, in doing so, that they also damage the faith without which their belief system would fall apart. So they think, "Well, maybe it DID happen and we just missed it," or, "Oh, he BELIEVES it happened, and therefore it's okay." They resist using reason or logic because they fear as Martin Luther did: that it will be the undoing of the whole ball of wax.

And of course, they're right, it would, eventually. And these people have no idea how they would manage without their faith ... which is sorta like wondering how you'd do if you weren't carrying an imaginary millstone around your neck.

Religion is kind of like bad marriage: it defines on, sets one's roles, imposes restrictions and limits imagination, it tells one he/she is not a whole person without the other, it convinces one he or she has no worth without the other. It requires one to submit, obey, crucify oneself regardless of the personal costs, it fosters dependence.

That is the pessimist in me writing; now for the optimist. A healthy relationship brings forth morals and ethics from within, an internal compass points the direction for living, living in a healthy relationships opens one up to trust without dependence, it doesn't rely on counter-dependence or aggression but builds inter-dependence. Conflict can be valued as a way of broadening ones perception and to embrace diversity without being hurt or engulfed by it.

In a healthy relationship (like my current marriage), it's not about completing the other person and being completed; it's about bringing who you are to that other person, something different and novel, yet compatible and complementary, so that both people can become MORE.

Joan, my ex-wife, whom I loved far more after divorce than before, had been married before she married me, and one night long after the divorce she phoned to say she was getting married again. When I pointed out the potential for becoming a "three time loser," she said, "I guess I just don't feel complete without a man." I felt sorry for her. Why a person would feel that way is beyond me. I may be insane for living alone for 30 years, but not once did it occur to me to find another partner.

Ms. Jacobs is reported as associated with the "New Apostolic Reformation", which is also reported as influencing such shining stars as "Rick Perry...Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann and Sam Brownback."

"Wagner notes that those who affiliate themselves with the movement believe the Apostles’ Creed and all the orthodoxy of Christian doctrine and therefore is not heretical. He goes on to list the differences between the NAR and traditional Protestantism.[1]

The office of the prophet - There is within the church a role and function for present-day prophets.

Dominionism - "When Jesus came, He brought the kingdom of God and He expects His kingdom-minded people to take whatever action is needed to push back the long-standing kingdom of Satan and bring the peace and prosperity of His kingdom here on earth."[2]

Theocracy - Not to be confused with theocratic government but rather the goal to have "kingdom-minded people" in all areas of society. There are seven areas identified specifically: religion, family, education, government, media, arts & entertainment, and business.[1]

Extra-biblical revelation - There is available to all believers the ability to hear from God. "The one major rule governing any new revelation from God is that it cannot contradict what has already been written in the Bible. It may supplement it, however.

I can just see and hear now, all those people who think they are better, smarter, stronger, more faithful than the rest of human-kind and will hang their egos on these kinds of notions. That last line, "relational and voluntary alignment to apostles" implies "Passive Gospel". All the people bow down to their hallucinations.

The puny, little-minded, simpletons who have no other way to feel good about themselves will blow this horn!